Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Care Remains Strong Opportunity for Employment
Demand for allied health professionals remains strong in California in large part because many current workers are expected to retire in the near future. Health care officials in California say the state’s degree and certificate programs are not turning out enough graduates to meet the state’s needs. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Prosecutions for Health Care Fraud Up 2% Since Launch of Effort in 2007
On Thursday, the Department of Justice released records indicating that the number of people charged with insurance fraud increased by 2% since the department launched federal “strike forces” in 2007. Attorney General Eric Holder said fraud costs Medicare about $60 billion annually. USA Today.
Single-Payer Plan Clears State Senate; Governor Expected To Veto Bill
In a nearly party-line vote, the California Senate voted yesterday to approve a bill that would create a single-payer health care system in the state. Gov. Schwarzenegger has pledged to veto the measure if it reaches his desk. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Army Leadership Steps Up Efforts To Tackle Suicides
In a Jan. 8 memorandum, Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the Army’s vice chief of staff, urged Army leaders to pay close attention to soldiers moving from one installation to another who might need extra assistance. The Army had a record high number of suicides last year and experienced eight suicides in the first eight days of 2010. USA Today.
Report: Market Clout Driving Up Mass. Health Care Costs
Health care costs in Massachusetts are continuing to increase substantially in part because some hospitals and doctors have sufficient market power to demand higher payments from insurers in the state, according to a preliminary report state Attorney General Martha Coakley is scheduled to release today. Boston Globe.
Editorial Urges Change of U.S. Rule on Home-Care Pay
Citing President Obama’s signing of a law aimed at preventing pay discrimination based on gender, an editorial urges the U.S. Department of Labor or Congress to approve changes that would permit overtime pay for home health care aides. In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a DOL rule that classified home care aides as personal companions who are ineligible for overtime. New York Times.
Scripps Health Chief: Working With Doctors Helped Finances
Chris Van Gorder — president and CEO of San Diego-based Scripps Health and chair-elect of the American College of Healthcare Executives — credited closer ties with physicians to turning around Scripps’ financial performance. Moreover, Van Gorder said Scripps officials are studying options for forming an accountable care organization, a model of care delivery under which hospitals, physicians and other care providers share a single payment. Hospital Review.
L.A. County Health Plans Extend Dental Coverage for Medi-Cal Enrollees
After last year’s budget cuts eliminated Medi-Cal coverage for adult dental care, two health plans in Los Angeles County stepped up to the plate. Both L.A. Care Health Plan and Health Net have initiated efforts to extend dental coverage to their Medi-Cal members. Payers & Providers.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation Protests Merck Drug Pricing
The Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation is barring Merck sales representatives from its 15 clinics in California and Florida to protest the drugmaker’s pricing of the HIV treatment Isentress. The foundation’s leader said it spends about $180 million annually on medications. Payers & Providers.
State Officials Fine 13 Hospitals for Serious Patient Safety Lapses
Yesterday, the California Department of Public Health levied fines against 13 hospitals for incidents that seriously endangered patient safety. Infractions that occurred in 2009 will draw $50,000 fines, up from fines of $25,000 per violation. Los Angeles Times et al.